0ur opinion:

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More maps and wide ? there's simply more to see with nüvi 770. This personal travel assistant is packed with preloaded maps for North America and Europe, not to mention advanced navigation features, a widescreen display, an FM transmitter, hands-free calling, traffic alerts and more. Like the rest of the wide nüvi 700-series, its premium navigation capabilities, like route planning and a h Save up to 10 routes, and specify via points and preview simulated turns on the 4.3 widescreen, or enter your via points and let the nuvi 750 automatically sort multiple destinations for an efficient route Hands free calling with Bluetooth phones A trip log of up to 10,000 points keeps a record of where you've been on the map for easy reference Speed limits for all major highways and interstates A high-sensitivity internal (non flip-up) antenna keeps the unit sleek and compact while the rechargeable lithium-ion battery allows you to use the unit in and out of the car for up to 5 hours MP3 playback with Audiobook player (subscription to Audible.com required), JPEG picture viewer, and currency converters Built-in FM transmitter allows you to listen to your music, audio books, and gps voice prompts through your car's stereo] Route avoidance (avoid highways, tolls, etc.), Route setup (choice of faster time, shorter distance, off-road), Auto re-route (fast auto-recalculation when you take a wrong turn or want to avoid traffic), and Custom P0ls (ability to add additional points of interest) FM traffic alerts (3 months of service included) lnterfaces - USB, Audio line-out (headphone) Unit Dimensions - 4.8w x 3h x. 8d Weight - 6.2 oz

-- January 8, 2008:
The nüvi 770 adds European maps to the multi-destination routing and, 'Where am l?/Where's my car?' features the entire 700 series brings to Garmin's popular pocket-sized GPS navigator lineup. As with all nüvis, you get Garmin reliability, the fast satellite lock of an integrated high-sensitivity receiver, a slim, pocket-sized design with a gorgeous display, an easy, intuitive interface, and detailed NAVTEQ maps for the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico with more than 6 million name-searchable points of interest. All of the 700-series navigators also feature a rich array of features including spoken directions in real street names, MP3 player and photo viewer, and an FM transmitter that will play voice prompts, MP3s, audio books, and more, directly through your vehicle's stereo system. The nüvi 760 and 770 add integrated traffic receivers and Bluetooth capability for hands-free calling. The nüvi 770 adds maps for Europe. The nüvi 780 adds enhanced MSN direct content capability.

Which nüvi is Best for You?: Click here to see a quick, simple comparison of features for all Garmin nuvi GPS navigators

Garmin's nüvis pack top of the line features into a slim form factor.

Wider screen lets you see more of what's around. Compare these actual size views of a 3-inch (diagonal) screen and a 4.3-inch diagonal widescreen

New Features -- Where Am l? Where's My Car?
The nüvi 700 series is the first to answer two common questions: 'Where am l?' and 'Where’s my car?'




At any time, with a single tap of the screen, drivers can display their exact latitude and longitude coordinates, the nearest address and intersection, and the closest hospitals, police stations and gas stations. And to help drivers find their car in an unfamiliar spot or vast parking lot, all nüvi 700s automatically mark the position in which they were last removed from the mount.

New Features -- Multi-Destination Routing
This lets you enter several spots into the device (day care - supermarket-cleaners - office - day care, for example) and it will plot the fastest route. And once you've found the best router, the 'Route Planning' feature lets you save up to 10 different routes, Garmin touts the feature for providing, 'the most efficient route for errands, deliveries and sales calls.' The feature also makes this an instant essential accessory for anyone who shops garage sales (you know what we're talking about).

A trip log provides an electronic bread crumb trail of up to 10,000 points, so you can see where you've been on the map.

See Better, See More
The super-bright, 4.3-inch (diagonal) touchscreen display gives is anti-glare for ease of viewing during the day and automatically changes its color profile for easy viewing at night or in dim light. lt offers 2d or 3D perspective views.

The widescreen format gives you 70% more actual screen area than a 3.5-inch screen. Primarily this translates into a better view of the area through which you are driving. This is especially useful in showing you what parks, restaurants, ATM, gas stations, etc. are nearby, or in letting you know whether a detour is a good idea. Also, the device itself is larger, meaning controls on the screen are more widely spaced and somewhat easier to push.


First Rate Map Data
All nüvi 700s come preloaded with highly detailed City Navigator NT road maps for the entire United States, Canada, and Puerto Rico. This map database features nearly six million points of interest (P0ls), including hotels, restaurants, gas stations, ATMs, and attractions. Garmin gets its map data from NAVTEQ, a world leader in premium-quality mapping.


lmportant note about map updates: Due to our high volume of sales, almost every Garmin portable GPS navigator sold by will come with the most recent map version. lf you ever need a map update, you can get one from Garmin at http://www8.garmin.com/unlock/update.jsp. You will need to have your device's serial number ready.


Hands-Free Calling
ln more and more places, it is becoming illegal to use cell phones while driving without a hands-free kit. Wlth Bluetooth capability, microphone and speaker, you can match your nüvi to any bluetooth-capable phone to make hands-free mobile phone calls. Simply dial the phone number with the nüvi's touch screen keypad to make a call on a compatible phone. To answer an incoming call, just tap the screen and speak into the built-in microphone. Making and taking calls on the road has never been easier, or safer. ln addition, Garmin makes it a breeze to look-up and dial numbers from your personalized phone book or even tap into your cell phone's call history log.

lntegrated FM Traffic Receiver

Steer clear of traffic with an integrated FM traffic receiver designed to receive alerts from TMC Clear Channel about traffic tie-ups and road construction that might lie ahead on your route. All you have to do is simply touch the screen to view traffic details and you'll be ready to detour around any problem area. And if you end up missing a turn, or you're forced into a detour that is not relayed through the traffic receiver, the nüvi's sophisticated automatic routing will get you back on track in no time. ln most areas, TMC Clear Channel traffic broadcasts are continuous — there's no waiting for scheduled traffic news updates or random alerts. Because traffic broadcasts are received via a 'silent' FM data channel, you can still listen to music or news programming on your car radio without interference from incoming FM traffic data transmissions. A 3-month subscription to TMC Clear Channel's Total Traffic Network is included with purchase of this device. For more information on subscription fees, coverage in individual cities, and traffic data networks in the United Kingdom and Europe, check the Garmin website.

Garmin Lock
Garmin's patent pending theft prevention system that disables the unit from performing any functions until the user types in a specific 4-digit PlN or takes the unit to a predetermined secure location


Easy To Use lnterface
Garmin's interface is a key to their success and one of the things that makes their devices such a pleasure to use. Simple controls and sub-screens make it easy to enter or search for destinations and get data about your trip.


Beyond Navigation

Browse your stored pictures with an easy-to-use JPEG viewer.

A handy MP3 player lets you play songs stored on SD memory cards.

nüvi 250W accepts custom points of interest (P0ls). View larger.

Navigation is just the beginning. All nüvi 700s feature travel tools including JPEG picture viewer, MP3 player, world travel clock with time zones, currency converter, measurement converter, calculator and more.




They are also compatible with optional content plug-ins available via SD card, such as the Garmin Travel Guides and Garmin SaversGuide provide detailed data for attractions and information on nearby merchants offering discounts, so you can customize your nüvi for all your travel needs.




Garmin has also added the ability for customers to add custom points of interest (P0l’s) from third parties such as school zones and safety cameras.

Trick Your GPS Ride

Custom vehicle icons let you ride in style, at least inside your GPS. See more icon options

All nüvis support configurable vehicle icons. These fun, customized car-shaped icons come in a variety of colors to add a personal touch to your vehicle's position on the map.

What's in the Box
nüvi 770, Preloaded City Navigator NT for North America and Europe, FM traffic receiver with vehicle power cable, 3-month subscription to TMC real-time traffic services, Vehicle suction cup mount, Dashboard disc, USB cable, Quick start manual


Notes

• The FM transmitter feature is only available in the United States, Canada, Australia and New Zealand
• Like most USB Mass Storage Devices, the nüvi is not compatible with Windows 95, Windows 98 or Windows Me.

Which nüvi is Best for You?
Note: All nüvis come with detailed NAVTEQ maps containing more than 6 million pre-loaded point of interest locations.

	Screen Size inches (w x h)	lncluded Maps			Text-to-Speech (Directions in Real Street Names)	Traffic	Bluetooth	Media	FM Transmitter (audio through car stereo system)	Multi- Point Routing	Battery life (hours)
		Cont. U.S., Hawaii, and Puerto Rico	AK and Canada	Europe
nüvi 200	2.8 x 2.1							Photos			up to 5
nüvi 200w	3.81 x 2.25							Photos			up to 5
nüvi 250	2.8 x 2.1							Photos			up to 5
nüvi 250w	3.81 x 2.25							Photos			up to 5
nüvi 260	2.8 x 2.1							Photos			up to 5
nüvi 260w	3.81 x 2.25							Photos			up to 5
nüvi 270	2.8 x 2.1							Photos			up to 5
nüvi 350	2.8 x 2.1					FM (with opt. receiver)		Photos, MP3s			up to 8
nüvi 360	2.8 x 2.1					FM (with opt. receiver)		Photos, MP3s			up to 8
nüvi 370	2.8 x 2.1					FM (receiver included)		Photos, MP3s			up to 8
nüvi 650	3.81 x 2.25					FM (with opt. receiver)		Photos, MP3s			up to 7
nüvi 660	3.81 x 2.25					FM (receiver included)		Photos, MP3s			up to 7
nüvi 670	3.81 x 2.25					FM (receiver included)		Photos, MP3s			up to 7
nüvi 680	3.81 x 2.25					MSN (receiver included; 1-year free); FM (with opt. receiver)		Photos, MP3s			up to 7
nüvi 750	3.81 x 2.25					FM (with opt. receiver); MSN-enhanced (with optional receiver)		Photos, MP3s			up to 5
nüvi 760	3.81 x 2.25					FM (receiver included); MSN-enhanced (with optional receiver)		Photos, MP3s			up to 5
nüvi 770	3.81 x 2.25					FM (receiver included); MSN-enhanced (with optional receiver)		Photos, MP3s			up to 5
nüvi 780	3.81 x 2.25					MSN-enhanced (receiver inc.; 3 months free) receiver); FM (with opt. receiver)		Photos, MP3s			up to 5
nüvi 850	3.81 x 2.25					MSN-enhanced (with optional receiver); FM (with opt. receiver)		Photos, MP3s			up to 4
nüvi 880	3.81 x 2.25					MSN-enhanced (receiver inc.; 3 months free); FM (with opt. receiver)		Photos, MP3s			up to 4
nüvi 5000	4.5 x 2.7					MSN-enhanced (with optional receiver); FM (with opt. receiver)					external battery only

Piece Availability: Usually ships in 2 to 3 days

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Testimonials

Average Buyer Rating:

Buyer's feedback: - * Another great product ...
Was using a 200W previously, so am familiar with the Garmin interface. The 770 offers the same great user friendly interface for upgraders like me. Same GPS functions but with added features like bluetooth, improved mounting, FM transmitter and MP3 player, etc. Great unit! :)

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Buyer's feedback: - Nuvi 770, delayed review
Can't rate this item yet. I received it 2 days after placing my order. I used the 770 for two days then the voice function failed so I returned the device to Garmin. About 10 days later, a re-manufactured unit was returned to me, but it also failed, but for a different reason. This time, the data files (points of interest) wouldn't mount. I spoke to Garmin and they asked that the re-man unit be returned to them, and that they would send another. So, at this point, I can't really review the unit, having only logged 2 days time with it. Hopefully the third time will be the charm. TKristy

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Buyer's feedback: - * Garmin Nuvi 770 ...
The Garmin Nuvi 770 is my fourth Garmin GPS. It is easy to use and intuitive. The only negatives are that it seems to take a while to "load maps" and 3 times it lost its voice. I had to remove it from the dock and power it down and back up. I have not had the problem since.

The display is bright and clear even in sunlight. The sound is loud enough.

I contacted Garmin by email to inquire about the 2009 maps. The next day I had a personalized email reply from a real person with the information I needed to download the 2009 maps. A CD could be ordered for $10, but the 2+ GB download took less than an hour. Garmin should teach other companies like Dell what customer support is.

Amazon has always been good, but as of September 1 apparently no longer offers a 30 day price match. Its is too bad that this information was not shared sufficiently with its customers. Can't really blame Amazon too much since they are in it for the money. However I did purchase primarily from Amazon because they were great with their customers. I will start doing a lot more comparison shopping rather than just buying from Amazon.

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Buyer's feedback: - Lukewarm - OK nothing stellar
Update (10/21/08)
I got my Nuvi 770 because Volvo was selling a similar unit (760) for dealer installation. But I have been less than satisfied, especially in comparison to a Magellan RoadMate 1412 at less than half the cost of the Nuvi 770.

When I got the Nuvi, I ran the web update...MISTAKE
That upgraded me to software release v4.1. Here are the problems that I ran into:
#1 The voice lag was so bad that the unit would give turn instructions when I was in the middle of the intersection, too late to execute the turn. I understand that the software release v3.x did not have this problem.

#2 In the "Where Am I" option, the "nearest intersection" is WRONG. I don't know how it selects the nearest intersection, but that intersection is NOT the nearest intersection.

I upgraded to software release v4.2 to fix these problems. (as of 10/18 v4.2 is the current release)
#1 Voice Lag. For the most part, that fixed the voice lag problem. But from what it looks like, they paused the screen refresh when the voice comes on, so the screen jerks. An irritant, but acceptable to fix the voice lag.

#2 Nearest intersection. This problem has not been fixed. In further testing, I found that it could be off from one block to dozens of blocks. Don't plan on using it for 911, it could be so far off as to be useless. BTW I called Garmin and they "don't know about this problem."

My wifes Magellan Roadmate 1412 has none of these problems, and it was half the price of the 770.

Other nits
#3 The Points of Interest categories is not as detailed as that in the Magellan Roadmate 1412. Specifically when looking for places to eat, the Magellan has more categories of different types of food.

#4 The favorites are arranged in order of distance from where you are, not alphabetically. So the order of your favorites will change as you change location. This was initially confusing as to what is going on.

#5 The favorites do not have an extra line where you can add your own comments about the place. Especially important when the address does not line up, and you save the GPS location rather than entering the address, you need some place to put the actual address of the location.

#6 No way to make corrections to the POI, and sooner or later you will find errors. But neither does the Magellan RM 1412. But I think some of the Tom-Toms do.

#7 Does not have split screen preview of upcoming turns. This makes dealing with intersections easier. I would not have thought of this except that the Magellan RM 1412 has this feature, and I found it useful.

#8 Navigation, should include "Use Highway As Much as Possible" to prevent going off then back on when it would make better sense to just stay on the highway.

#9 Simulation speed. Should have an option to run the simulation FASTER. When simulating long trips, there is a lot of boring time on the freeway that you just sit waiting for it to get to the next turn.

#10 They do not take advantage of the wide screen. When driving, I want to know what is in FRONT of me, not what is on the side. A square screen would work fine. Only in 3D-heads up mode does the wide screen add value. Or a split screen feature like the Magellan RM 1412.

What I like (its not all negative)
#1 The car cradle connects the electrical, so no separate wire to connect/disconnect. The Magellan Roadmate(RM) 1412 has a separate wire.

#2 Battery life is much longer than the Magellan RM 1412. So I can preplan a trip in the house w/o being plugged into a 12v power source.

#3 Ability to change Text to Speach (TTS) voice. My ear prefers the female Austrailian English. Its interesting to listen to running a simulated route in different languages.

#4 Zooming. In 2D mode, depending on how fast you are going/the road or highway, the 770 will zoom in/out to compensate. This is a good idea, but can be confusing if you don't expect it. It takes some use to get used to this.

#5 The 4.3" screen size is nice, easy to glance at and see what is coming up. While I would like it larger (middle-age eyes), that would not work on the dash. Any larger and it would block your vision too much.

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Buyer's feedback: - * great unit - fabulous Amazon service ...
The Garmin Nuvi 770 does exactly what it says it does. I was excited to use it when I first got it, but found that the maps were not installed. I called Garmin who very easily set up my Nuvi with me over the phone. I only had a day before my trip and did not really get a chance to test it out.
Unfortunately that unit failed while I was on the trip. The unit would not charge and just shut off. I called Amazon from the road, identified myself, and they sent a new unit to a hotel where I would be staying, and allowed me to return the other unit two weeks later when I got home. The new unit arrived the day Amazon said it would, and this new unit has been working perfectly. It is fun and gives you confidence to try little roads and discover new places while on a trip, because the Nuvi can always get you back to where you need to be! Obviously, the first unit was just a defective unit which can happen to any electronic device. The replacement unit is the exact same model and it has been performing perfectly for 2 months now. Great unit from Garmin - great service from Amazon.